More on Liverpool FC

Can passes latest role call

After his two wonderful back-heels lit up the Etihad and bamboozled Man City last week, Emre Can added another skill to his repertoire at Anfield.

An old-school shoulder charge.

Asked to step into the suspended Lucas's role as Liverpool's deepest lying midfielder, Can generally showed the new confidence, maturity and variety in his game.

When Eder threatened to break midway through the first half as Can was caught upfield, the young German recovered to get level and win the strength battle with the big Portuguese striker.

The crowd waited for a needless and wrong whistle from the referee but Antony Taylor got it right.

Can rewarded him and the crowd with some nifty close control with the backheel out of the locker once again.

A couple of minutes later and he was soaring high on the edge of the Swansea penalty area to win a dangerous header

The tactical requirements of the position – which Lucas has made his calling card – were important with Swansea looking to break from their two deep lines when the opportunity arose.

Only once, when dwelling on the ball second half and robbed by Eder, did Can fail the test.

His control in tight areas is improving all the time and he can distribute off both feet, though this can still improve when under pressure. Benteke should certainly have done better with his lovely ball over the top first half.

Klopp has stressed his love of development and surely few are developing better under his guidance than his countryman.

Ibe makes the difference but more still to come

Jordon Ibe turns 20 next week and will be delighted to have played a key role in Liverpool's three points here.

Attacking his full back is what he's got to be about and as he ran at the Swansea defence, Neil Taylor decided to stop his box-bound cross with his arms.

This was just Ibe's ninth start of the year and his career is young and firmly in its infancy.

His talent is so prodigious though that he must begin to provide more in the goals and assists column to truly make the most of it.

He had chances here to add to his single goal in his 34 Reds' appearances, especially when Alberto Moreno's cross fell to him at the back post midway through the first period - an ill-timed slip stole the moment away. A goal beckoned in midweek against Bordeaux too.

At times his decision making still leaves something to be desired but that is natural in a young player and will surely improve with every game.

The return of his great pal Daniel Sturridge will no doubt be an additional help to him and it was no surprise when they looked for each other as soon as the England striker arrived on the pitch.

Right until his late substitution Ibe was working back and picking up important loose balls, a sure sign that the Klopp effect is taking hold.

A decent show from the youngster but there will be far, far better to come.

Lovren reaping benefits of the simple life

He promised he would step up in Mamadou Sakho's absence through injury and prove he can be a leader at Anfield.

And to be fair Dejan Lovren is making a pretty fair fist of it.

Lovren is at his best when his work is largely unseen, getting in good positions, reading the game, stepping in where required.

This is the bread and butter of centre half play and it's exactly what Liverpool fans want the £20m Croatian to concentrate on.

However there were a couple of times when he stood out for the righ treasons in a first half when defences dominated and neither side managed a shot on target.

That might have been different if Lovren hadn't won a superb header in his own box as three Swansea players attacked a dangerous cross from the left.

When Wayne Routledge, an LFC scourge in the past, threatened down the right, Lovren's long leg brought his progress to a swift halt.

Of course there was still time for a Lovren moment, as he and Moreno confused each other and Montero almost pounced, although in a swirling wind it is difficult to be too critical.

For now Lovren is doing the job his manager requires from him.

Simple.

Sturridge and Henderson can ease Klopp's squad pains

At times Jurgen Klopp hasn't had much choice in the Liverpool line-up he could put on the field in his first 10 games at the helm.

Roberto Firmino's somewhat tired performance here suggested he was one player who could perhaps have done without his third appearance in eight days.

But slowly the picture is becoming a brighter and clearer one.

Even in these wintry conditions, it felt like the clouds had lifted as Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge took to the field.

Both arrived on the Anfield turf to huge cheers, though the one for the captain was extra special.

James Milner thrust the armband at him and he was back, for just his third appearance of the season. That walk to the touchline against Bournemouth in August seems a very long time.

Immediately he did what he does best, popping off intelligent passes while still finding time for the occasional burst into the box.

Sturridge's case is of course rather more complicated. Just a few days earlier and the pain in his foot was too much to allow him a role against Bordeaux. Here there was little sign of discomfort but plenty of rustiness as he looks to make up for lost time since his last appearance in the Goodison derby.

For both players it was their first playing time under their new manager and both will certainly have an important role to play this season, fitness permitting.

Surely Henderson is the sort of midfielder Klopp must dream about? Their partnership looks a nailed on success.

And Sturridge? A more difficult situation to assess long term certainly.

But for now, his pain has eased and with it so has Klopp's.

What did you make of Liverpool's win? Let us know in the comments section.